Mario
The player-controlled hero who travels through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
D-pad LeftD-pad Right | Move Mario left or right |
|---|---|
A | Jump |
B | Run or throw fireballs when powered up |
Start | Pause the game |
Control notes
The controls use the Game Boy Advance's original buttons.
Holding B while moving increases Mario's running speed.
How it plays
How does Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros. play?
The player views each stage from a side-scrolling perspective and guides Mario from the left side of the course to the flagpole. Stages contain platforms, pits, moving enemies, hidden blocks, coins, pipes, and time limits.
Mario can run, jump, stomp enemies, collect coins, and use power-ups. Super Mushrooms increase his size, Fire Flowers grant fireballs, and Starmen provide temporary invincibility. The game contains eight worlds with four stages each, including underground, underwater, and fortress areas. Progress is continuous, while lives and warp zones affect how quickly a player can reach later worlds.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros.?
Use short, controlled jumps when approaching enemies or narrow platforms, and learn each stage's hazards before committing to a long run.
- Preserve Fire Flowers for difficult enemy groups and castle approaches.
- Collect coins when they are safe, but prioritize survival over score.
- Look for warp zones if the goal is to reach later worlds quickly.
- Hold the run button while jumping to gain greater horizontal distance.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Luigi
Mario's brother, available as the second player character in the original game's two-player alternating mode.
Princess Toadstool
The ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom whom Mario must rescue at the end of the adventure.
Bowser
The final antagonist and king of the Koopas, encountered in fortress stages and the final castle.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
The timer continues to run while you are deciding where to move, so avoid unnecessary hesitation.
- 2
A Super Mushroom can absorb one normal hit and is especially valuable before fortress sections.
- 3
Some apparently solid walls conceal bonus rooms or coins; test suspicious blocks when the route is safe.
Community discussion
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